The Turkish Language Reform

A Catastrophic Success

Geoffrey Lewis

The Turkish Language Reform

A Catastrophic Success

Geoffrey Lewis

Description

This is the first account of the transformation of the Turkish language in the years following 1930--probably the most extensive piece of language engineering ever attempted. The book is important both for the study of linguistic change and for the light it throws on twentieth-century Turkish politics and society.

The Turkish Language Reform

A Catastrophic Success

Geoffrey Lewis

Table of Contents

1. Introduction2. Ottoman Turkish3. The New Alphabet4. Ataturk and the Language Reform until 19365. The Sun-Language Theory and After6. Atay, Atac, Sayili7. Ingredients8. Concoctions9. Technical Terms10. The New Yoke11. The New Turkish12. What Happened to the Language SocietyReferences

The Turkish Language Reform

A Catastrophic Success

Geoffrey Lewis

Reviews and Awards

A Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2000

"Lewis did an enormous amount of research on this subject, and he writes in a lively and witty style. Absolutely essential for collections supporting Turkish and linguistics departments at all levels."--Choice